South Sudan Emergency Situation UNHCR External Regional Update, 7

UNHCR together with partners are taking emergency measures to address declining nutritional status of refuges that are arriving in the countries of asylum already in poor nutritional status due to the food deficit in South Sudan.

Sudan continues to receive South Sudanese at the rate of approximately 350 per day, with arrivals entering White Nile State from Upper Nile State of South Sudan on a daily basis. There are also reports of further influx to South Kordofan state fleeing Unity State in South Sudan.

A total of 25,099 asylum seekers have been received through the Nadapal border area in (Kenya), with the highest figure received in the month so far being 569 since the crisis in South Sudan started.

In Uganda, a total of 81,345 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Adjumani, Arua and Kiryandongo since the influx began on 16 December. The significant increase in new arrivals was precipitated by a recent outbreak of violence in Juba and ongoing fighting elsewhere in the country.

In Yusuf Batil camp, South Sudan, where nearly 40,000 refugees are being provided protection and assistance, a clash between refugees and host community resulted in four deaths. The Government and UNHCR are currently leading negotiations and mediation efforts in reducing tension between the refugees and the host community.

New arrivals into Ethiopia continue to come through Pagak and Akobo entry points and other smaller border points. To date a total of 69,456 refugees who have entered the Gambella Region via Pagak and other entry points as well, including Akobo Tergol and Burbiey. UNHCR, government counterpart and partners are working racing against time to establish new camps to accommodate them and provide enough life sustaining support despite the many challenges including logistics.